Bolero is the same as a slow international rumba with a much wider slow step. Be sure to drag the second foot on each slow.

You can do almost ALL of the Rumba patterns in Bolero with one exception; the Bolero usually does not include the box step.

The Bolero uses less Cuban motion than does the Rumba.

"Bolero" in Spanish means "love song".

Bolero basic

basic to the side

basic with a ¼ turn

basic with a ½ turn

Other Bolero steps:

crossover breaks

crossover into a turn around

back breaks

cross-body lead

cross-body lead into a crossover break

Forward and back patterns:

Forward and back in closed

Forward and back in open facing position with single (or double) hold

Apart position patterns

the Chase

Recapture the lady into closed

Transition back to the side basic

Adjusting to the tempo of the music:

Adjust the length of your slow step and the speed of the drag according to the tempo of the music. The trick to the Bolero is that even though the music is slow, you want to keep the dance moving.

If the tempo is slow, take a longer slow step and drag your foot slower. Strive for a smooth and flowing motion and synchronize your footwork with your partner.

If the tempo is faster than a Bolero but slower than a Rumba, take a shorter slow step and just drag your foot less. Strive for a smooth and flowing motion and synchronize your footwork with your partner.

Same-hand crossover (full moon)

Start with a cross-body lead and switch to same hands and roll into a forward crossover. The man hold the lady's right hand with his right hand throughout the remainder of this pattern. The man then turns 180º and leads the lady into a cross-body lead followed by a forward crossover. This pattern is repeated several times. During each crossbody lead, the lady raises her left hand in a large circular gentle arc that ends with her left hand on her right shoulder. During each forward crossover, the lady extends her left hand straight out to her left side. At the end of the pattern, the lady does an inside double-turn to the right followed immediately by the basic.

Grapevine
Start with a crossover to a spot turn to a side break. Using closed position, both the man and lady do a Flip-flop grapevine (step behind and then step in front) to the left side, then man and lady do a forward rock step on their outside foot and then do a open (hand-to-hand) grapevine to the right. Finish with a side break and then a brace and turn-around.

Underarm pass

This pattern starts with a open break in which the man rocks forward. While the man's left hand holds the lady's right hand, the lady steps toward the man and looks at him through the window of her arm and pauses, then she steps forward and turns to the left, and then steps back into the bolero basic. As the lady passes him, the man turns in place and then follows her.